Limited data exist regarding the real-world practices and clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEFs).Using nationwide registry data from South Korea, we aimed to investigate long-term outcomes and clinical practices, especially implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) implantation, in patients with reduced LVEFs at least 40 days after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Of 13,056 patients with AMI between 2011 and 2015, we analyzed 350 (median age, 66 years [interquartile range, 56-75]) who had LVEFs <40% on follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram 40 days after the index event. The primary outcome was cardiac-cause mortality at 3 years. Secondary outcomes comprised major cardiovascular events as well as outcomes defined by the use of ICDs, cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds), and electrophysiology studies. Among 350 patients, 39 (11.1%) died from cardiac causes during 3 years of follow-up. Eleven (3.1%) were hospitalized for ventricular tachycardia. The rate of ICD or CRT-D implantation up to 3 years was 5.7% (20/350). Cox time-to-event analysis revealed older age, LVEF <30%, diabetes mellitus, and previous MI or revascularization as positively associated with cardiac death, whereas the use of statins and body weight <67 kg were negatively associated. This nationwide Korean registry demonstrated that only 5.7% of patients who had reduced LVEFs after 40 days of AMI underwent ICD implantations over 3 years. Considering the high mortality, concerted efforts are needed to improve clinical outcomes for patients who may have been candidates for ICD implantation.

Abrupt vessel closure (AVC) is a complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and is defined as the sudden cessation of forward coronary blood flow due to a variety of mechanisms. The incidence of AVC has markedly decreased from approximately 3.0% in the early era to about 0.3% today. Nevertheless, cardiovascular interventionists must remain prepared to manage AVC effectively, given its significant impact on clinical outcomes.AVC can arise from several mechanisms, including dissection, intramural hematoma, intracoronary thrombosis, air embolism, vasospasm, and no-reflow. The clinical impact of AVC varies depending on the extent of myocardium affected, ranging from asymptomatic events or transient ischemic chest pain to cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. Both a general approach for stabilizing hemodynamic consequences and an etiology-specific management strategy are essential. Hasty decision-making may worsen the situation, whereas a structured approach—focused on hemodynamic stabilization, logical diagnostic processes, and targeted interventions—can improve outcomes. In this narrative review, we describe the mechanisms underlying each etiology, outline mechanism-specific management strategies, and discuss general approaches to managing patients with AVC through logical diagnostic and treatment processes. We hope this review offers valuable insights into this uncommon but significant complication and enhances readers’ skills in managing AVC more effectively during PCI.

Background and Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.Nicotine, a crucial constituent of tobacco, contributes to atherosclerosis development and progression. However, evidence of the association between nicotine and neointima formation is limited. We aimed to evaluate whether nicotine enhances neointimal hyperplasia in the native epicardial coronary arteries of pigs after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: After coronary angiography (CAG) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), we implanted 20 DES into 20 pigs allocated to 2 groups: no-nicotine (n=10) and nicotine (n=10) groups. Post-PCI CAG and QCA were performed immediately. Follow-up CAG, QCA, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histopathological analyses were performed 2 months post-PCI. Results: Despite intergroup similarities in the baseline QCA findings, OCT analysis showed that the nicotine group had a smaller mean stent and lumen areas, a larger mean neointimal area, greater percent area stenosis, and higher peri-strut fibrin and inflammation scores than the no-nicotine group. In immunofluorescence analysis, the nicotine group displayed higher expression of CD68 and α-smooth muscle actin but lower CD31 expression than the no-nicotine group. Conclusions Nicotine inhibited re-endothelialization and promoted inflammation and NIH after PCI with DES in a porcine model.

Objective: This study hypothesized that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of basketball players could predict the result of Korean Basketball League (KBL) draft selection. Methods: We recruited the number of 89 college elite basketball players (KBL selection, n=44; non-KBL selection, n=45), and the number of 82 age-matched healthy comparison subjects who major in sports education in college. All participants were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory, Sports Anxiety Scales, Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale-10, Trail Making Test, and Computerized Neuro-cognitive Test for Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Results: Current results showed that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of college basketball players could predict the KBL draft selection. Among temperament and characteristics, novelty seeking and reward dependence were associated with KBL draft selection. The basketball performances including average scores and average rebound were associated with Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Conclusion In order to be a good basketball player for a long time, it was confirmed that temperamental factors and neurocognitive factors were very closely related. Furthermore, it is also judged that these results can be used as basic data to predict potential professional basketball players.

Objective: This study hypothesized that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of basketball players could predict the result of Korean Basketball League (KBL) draft selection. Methods: We recruited the number of 89 college elite basketball players (KBL selection, n=44; non-KBL selection, n=45), and the number of 82 age-matched healthy comparison subjects who major in sports education in college. All participants were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory, Sports Anxiety Scales, Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale-10, Trail Making Test, and Computerized Neuro-cognitive Test for Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Results: Current results showed that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of college basketball players could predict the KBL draft selection. Among temperament and characteristics, novelty seeking and reward dependence were associated with KBL draft selection. The basketball performances including average scores and average rebound were associated with Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Conclusion In order to be a good basketball player for a long time, it was confirmed that temperamental factors and neurocognitive factors were very closely related. Furthermore, it is also judged that these results can be used as basic data to predict potential professional basketball players.

Background and Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.Nicotine, a crucial constituent of tobacco, contributes to atherosclerosis development and progression. However, evidence of the association between nicotine and neointima formation is limited. We aimed to evaluate whether nicotine enhances neointimal hyperplasia in the native epicardial coronary arteries of pigs after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: After coronary angiography (CAG) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), we implanted 20 DES into 20 pigs allocated to 2 groups: no-nicotine (n=10) and nicotine (n=10) groups. Post-PCI CAG and QCA were performed immediately. Follow-up CAG, QCA, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histopathological analyses were performed 2 months post-PCI. Results: Despite intergroup similarities in the baseline QCA findings, OCT analysis showed that the nicotine group had a smaller mean stent and lumen areas, a larger mean neointimal area, greater percent area stenosis, and higher peri-strut fibrin and inflammation scores than the no-nicotine group. In immunofluorescence analysis, the nicotine group displayed higher expression of CD68 and α-smooth muscle actin but lower CD31 expression than the no-nicotine group. Conclusions Nicotine inhibited re-endothelialization and promoted inflammation and NIH after PCI with DES in a porcine model.

Background and Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.Nicotine, a crucial constituent of tobacco, contributes to atherosclerosis development and progression. However, evidence of the association between nicotine and neointima formation is limited. We aimed to evaluate whether nicotine enhances neointimal hyperplasia in the native epicardial coronary arteries of pigs after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: After coronary angiography (CAG) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), we implanted 20 DES into 20 pigs allocated to 2 groups: no-nicotine (n=10) and nicotine (n=10) groups. Post-PCI CAG and QCA were performed immediately. Follow-up CAG, QCA, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histopathological analyses were performed 2 months post-PCI. Results: Despite intergroup similarities in the baseline QCA findings, OCT analysis showed that the nicotine group had a smaller mean stent and lumen areas, a larger mean neointimal area, greater percent area stenosis, and higher peri-strut fibrin and inflammation scores than the no-nicotine group. In immunofluorescence analysis, the nicotine group displayed higher expression of CD68 and α-smooth muscle actin but lower CD31 expression than the no-nicotine group. Conclusions Nicotine inhibited re-endothelialization and promoted inflammation and NIH after PCI with DES in a porcine model.

Objective: This study hypothesized that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of basketball players could predict the result of Korean Basketball League (KBL) draft selection. Methods: We recruited the number of 89 college elite basketball players (KBL selection, n=44; non-KBL selection, n=45), and the number of 82 age-matched healthy comparison subjects who major in sports education in college. All participants were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory, Sports Anxiety Scales, Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale-10, Trail Making Test, and Computerized Neuro-cognitive Test for Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Results: Current results showed that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of college basketball players could predict the KBL draft selection. Among temperament and characteristics, novelty seeking and reward dependence were associated with KBL draft selection. The basketball performances including average scores and average rebound were associated with Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Conclusion In order to be a good basketball player for a long time, it was confirmed that temperamental factors and neurocognitive factors were very closely related. Furthermore, it is also judged that these results can be used as basic data to predict potential professional basketball players.

Background and Objectives: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.Nicotine, a crucial constituent of tobacco, contributes to atherosclerosis development and progression. However, evidence of the association between nicotine and neointima formation is limited. We aimed to evaluate whether nicotine enhances neointimal hyperplasia in the native epicardial coronary arteries of pigs after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: After coronary angiography (CAG) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), we implanted 20 DES into 20 pigs allocated to 2 groups: no-nicotine (n=10) and nicotine (n=10) groups. Post-PCI CAG and QCA were performed immediately. Follow-up CAG, QCA, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histopathological analyses were performed 2 months post-PCI. Results: Despite intergroup similarities in the baseline QCA findings, OCT analysis showed that the nicotine group had a smaller mean stent and lumen areas, a larger mean neointimal area, greater percent area stenosis, and higher peri-strut fibrin and inflammation scores than the no-nicotine group. In immunofluorescence analysis, the nicotine group displayed higher expression of CD68 and α-smooth muscle actin but lower CD31 expression than the no-nicotine group. Conclusions Nicotine inhibited re-endothelialization and promoted inflammation and NIH after PCI with DES in a porcine model.

Objective: This study hypothesized that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of basketball players could predict the result of Korean Basketball League (KBL) draft selection. Methods: We recruited the number of 89 college elite basketball players (KBL selection, n=44; non-KBL selection, n=45), and the number of 82 age-matched healthy comparison subjects who major in sports education in college. All participants were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory, Sports Anxiety Scales, Beck Depression Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale-10, Trail Making Test, and Computerized Neuro-cognitive Test for Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Results: Current results showed that physical status, temperament and characteristics, and neurocognitive functions of college basketball players could predict the KBL draft selection. Among temperament and characteristics, novelty seeking and reward dependence were associated with KBL draft selection. The basketball performances including average scores and average rebound were associated with Emotional Perception and Mental Rotation. Conclusion In order to be a good basketball player for a long time, it was confirmed that temperamental factors and neurocognitive factors were very closely related. Furthermore, it is also judged that these results can be used as basic data to predict potential professional basketball players.